Architect and Director
George Watson’s College wished to create a modern sporting facility to suit the changing requirements of sports teaching. Our brief was to modernise the piecemeal sports complex development that had been formed around an existing 1930s building at the school’s main campus.
The facility needed to encourage physical activity and healthy lifestyles, and to allow school and after hours uses. The design and construction process had to work around the continued operation of the school.
The first phase of the design delivered a new multi-purpose sports hall including an Olympic standard sprung sports floor, with focus made on provision of lots of natural light, helping to improve the focus and energy of sports participants.
A viewing gallery was created as part of this phase, helping to bolster a sense of community and participation within the school’s sports culture, for parents and caregivers as well as fellow students.
Completion of the refurbishment was made in the next phase, which re-structured the main entrance and circulation areas to create the ‘Arcade’ and the ‘Hub’, which act as new focal points and provide a large flexible gathering space with views to the refurbished swimming pool.
Students and educators can enjoy a bright and spacious, modernised sports facility that benefits from three gyms, a high quality fitness suite and weights room with a glazed wall allowing views towards the Pentland Hills.
